Harvard Girl Professional Editing & Book Shepherding Services
Making words work hard for you
Making words work hard for you
We make words work as hard as you do
Editing/Book Design
Call 541.329.0217 (or 781.789.0027) or email heidi@harvardgirledits.com
Call 541.329.0217 (or 781.789.0027) or email heidi@harvardgirledits.com
Harvard Girl Word Services offers:
MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUING
- Manuscript critiques
- Copy-editing, proofreading, substantive rewriting (fiction/nonfiction)
- Book cover design and interior book design
- Full self-publishing services ("book shepherding"). Work with your publisher (e.g., Lulu, IUniverse, Amazon's Createspace) to create a perfect bound or hardcover edition of your book
- Business communications (including website and blog content editing)
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Editors do a lot of things:
- Editors do what "spellcheck", a friend, or a colleague cannot--and do it with objectivity.
- Editors copyedit. We read every line, word by word. We check punctuation, grammar, and spelling. We review sentence structure, continuity and repetition. We work carefully to remove unnecessary words that are extraneous to your meaning or bog down your style.
- Editors make lists, called style sheets, for recording preferred spellings, number usage, etc., so when words and styles appear they do so in the same way throughout your manuscript or document.
- Editors serve in the capacity of writing coach
- Editors rewrite anything from web content to whole novels. This is generally referred to as substantive and/or developmental editing.
Regardless of the type of work, the primary goal of all editing is to communicate what the author is trying to say in the best, most succinct way possible. This is what I love to do--and what my clients say I do best.
"When asked by friends how it was to write a book, my comment is usually, 'It's very difficult, but you just can't do it without the help of a qualified editor.' Heidi helped me transform a potentially great book into a great book. She got the job done."
(Scott Paton, DC, MS, ATC, author of Health Beyond Medicine, 2009 [see below])
"The question remains: How could I successfully have completed Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies without the unerring, gentle, but rigorous eye of Heidi Connolly, editor extraordinaire? The answer may never be known. I highly recommend Heidi's brilliant editorial and writing skills for any project. Thank you, Heidi."
(Ani Kaspar, author of Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies, Puerto Rico, 2009 [see below])
[A note on fees: Although fees are based on individual project parameters, including word count and level of editing or design, the EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association) does provide a rate chart of fees typically charged by freelance publishing professionals (including writers, editors, graphic designers, and proofreaders). This chart may be accessed by clicking on the link here. Editorial Freelancers Association rate chart]
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SCROLL DOWN TO SEE IMAGES OF SOME OF THE BOOKS PRODUCED BY HARVARD GIRL WORD SERVICES
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SCROLL DOWN TO SEE IMAGES OF SOME OF THE BOOKS PRODUCED BY HARVARD GIRL WORD SERVICES
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"When asked by friends how it was to write a book, my comment is usually, 'It's very difficult, but you just can't do it without the help of a qualified editor.' Heidi helped me transform a potentially great book into a great book. She got the job done."
(Scott Paton, DC, MS, ATC, author of Health Beyond Medicine, 2009 [see below])
"The question remains: How could I successfully have completed Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies without the unerring, gentle, but rigorous eye of Heidi Connolly, editor extraordinaire? The answer may never be known. I highly recommend Heidi's brilliant editorial and writing skills for any project. Thank you, Heidi."
(Ani Kaspar, author of Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies, Puerto Rico, 2009 [see below])
[A note on fees: Although fees are based on individual project parameters, including word count and level of editing or design, the EFA (Editorial Freelancers Association) does provide a rate chart of fees typically charged by freelance publishing professionals (including writers, editors, graphic designers, and proofreaders). This chart may be accessed by clicking on the link here. Editorial Freelancers Association rate chart]
MANUSCRIPT CRITIQUING
Whether
you plan to self-publish or send your novel or nonfiction manuscript to
an agent or commercial publishers, a good read
by an objective professional is a necessity. Though friends and family are a great
place to start, a
professional will thoroughly critique your work on all levels. I offer both preliminary and comprehensive evaluations for set fees
to give you the direct feedback you need. Both evalutions include an
estimate of editing requirements and generate reports that assess things like organization, style, flow, plot, pacing, hook, characters, dialog, voice, and so on. You will always get my honest opinion, including my take on the work's "publishability factor." This service comes with a free phone consult.
Remember: Writing is your love, but publishing is a business. Publishers and editing staffs toss poorly edited manuscripts. Make your work the best it can be--before you send it off or self-publish.
Remember: Writing is your love, but publishing is a business. Publishers and editing staffs toss poorly edited manuscripts. Make your work the best it can be--before you send it off or self-publish.
The very best editors help your personality shine. How will you know when your revised work really works? When the edited version causes you to think to yourself, "It sounds just like me!"
Russ Hill, New Jersey, author of Teach Internal Locus of Control, 2011; book available at Amazon.com. Harvard Girl services: editing, book design, cover design, and production.
Jason McCarty, author of Construction Leadership Success, 2011; book available at Amazon.com. Harvard Girl services: editing, book design, cover design, and production.
"Heidi Connolly is a pleasure to work with. The scope of her services is clear and concise, her editorial skills are marvelous, and the transaction is professional. She did a stellar job cleaning up Dirklus, making me scratch my head at the work for which the previous editing service had charged me. I will hire her again and recommend her as a one-stop shop. Wewt!" (Kevin Shorter, MFA Film / Television, http://www.dirklus.com, irreverent fantasy fiction, 2010)
"I would have been struggling with my manuscript still if Heidi had not agreed to critique it and then edit it and produce it for publication. Heidi encouraged me to go on with my work, and was frank and honest about its problems. She was patient, efficient, and professional in all aspects of the book's editing and design."
(Judge Laurence A. Cushing, author of Bittersweet Canyon, 2007)
Answer to Cancer is a new book by Dr. Douglas R. Levine of New Jersey.
Writing, Editing, Interior and Cover Design are by Harvard Girl. Publication 1/ 2011. View/purchase this book at www.drdouglevine.com.
Hormone Basics is written by Dr. Chris Leatherman of Kansas City, MO. It was edited, designed (interior and cover, including artwork), and produced by Harvard Girl Word Services and is now (2011) out in paperback. To view and/or purchase, go to www.hormonebasics.com. Chris says, "I don't know where to start ... Thank you for your talent, experience, willingness to go the "extra mile," your patience, persistence, and love for your work--all of which reveals itself in this book."
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Harvard Girl Word Services provided a variety of services for the book examples below, including proofreading, writing (and rewriting), editing (line editing through developmental and substantive editing), manuscript critiquing, book cover design, interior book design, and self-publishing consultation for book production.
Meryl King, Humboldt Rocks, 2011. Available by emailing author at pepperwoodpress@suddenlink.net or online at www.merylsking.com (launching soon). Harvard Girl services: editing, book design (with author), and cover design. "They say the cover sells the book. It certainly worked for my book! I sold all of the first printing in less than a month and have ordered 10 times more books already. I even have a waiting list. This book has many photos and illustration about rocks and geology, and Heidi's creative touch on the interior design makes the pages ZING."
Josh Gonze, The Streets of Santa Fe, A Walking Tour from 1880 to the Present, Dec. 2011
Available on Amazon (click here). "Heidi was the ideal person to guide me through the options and requirements that I faced in the self-publishing maze. She is responsive, has good suggestions, and is a pleasure to work with."
Harvard Girl services: book design and book shepherding through CreateSpace.
Stephen J. Lewis, Dead Men Tell No Lies, 2011, a bawdy, bloodthirsty, epic adventure novel. Harvard Girl services: MS critique and editing. Purchase this ebook on Amazon by clicking here.
Harvard Girl Word Services provided a variety of services for the book examples below, including proofreading, writing (and rewriting), editing (line editing through developmental and substantive editing), manuscript critiquing, book cover design, interior book design, and self-publishing consultation for book production.
Meryl King, Humboldt Rocks, 2011. Available by emailing author at pepperwoodpress@suddenlink.net or online at www.merylsking.com (launching soon). Harvard Girl services: editing, book design (with author), and cover design. "They say the cover sells the book. It certainly worked for my book! I sold all of the first printing in less than a month and have ordered 10 times more books already. I even have a waiting list. This book has many photos and illustration about rocks and geology, and Heidi's creative touch on the interior design makes the pages ZING."
Josh Gonze, The Streets of Santa Fe, A Walking Tour from 1880 to the Present, Dec. 2011
Available on Amazon (click here). "Heidi was the ideal person to guide me through the options and requirements that I faced in the self-publishing maze. She is responsive, has good suggestions, and is a pleasure to work with."
Harvard Girl services: book design and book shepherding through CreateSpace.
Stephen J. Lewis, Dead Men Tell No Lies, 2011, a bawdy, bloodthirsty, epic adventure novel. Harvard Girl services: MS critique and editing. Purchase this ebook on Amazon by clicking here.
Russ Hill, New Jersey, author of Teach Internal Locus of Control, 2011; book available at Amazon.com. Harvard Girl services: editing, book design, cover design, and production.
Jason McCarty, author of Construction Leadership Success, 2011; book available at Amazon.com. Harvard Girl services: editing, book design, cover design, and production.
“Working with Heidi has been
a privilege and a pleasure. She is a creative, speedy, and accurate editor
and interior layout designer, always happy to go well beyond her remit with
general advice on book creation. As a person, Heidi is clever, ever
cheerful, and encouraging. She has been the perfect companion in this
book project.” (Vaughan Evans,
"Heidi Connolly is a pleasure to work with. The scope of her services is clear and concise, her editorial skills are marvelous, and the transaction is professional. She did a stellar job cleaning up Dirklus, making me scratch my head at the work for which the previous editing service had charged me. I will hire her again and recommend her as a one-stop shop. Wewt!" (Kevin Shorter, MFA Film / Television, http://www.dirklus.com, irreverent fantasy fiction, 2010)
"I would have been struggling with my manuscript still if Heidi had not agreed to critique it and then edit it and produce it for publication. Heidi encouraged me to go on with my work, and was frank and honest about its problems. She was patient, efficient, and professional in all aspects of the book's editing and design."
(Judge Laurence A. Cushing, author of Bittersweet Canyon, 2007)
Answer to Cancer is a new book by Dr. Douglas R. Levine of New Jersey.
Writing, Editing, Interior and Cover Design are by Harvard Girl. Publication 1/ 2011. View/purchase this book at www.drdouglevine.com.
Hormone Basics is written by Dr. Chris Leatherman of Kansas City, MO. It was edited, designed (interior and cover, including artwork), and produced by Harvard Girl Word Services and is now (2011) out in paperback. To view and/or purchase, go to www.hormonebasics.com. Chris says, "I don't know where to start ... Thank you for your talent, experience, willingness to go the "extra mile," your patience, persistence, and love for your work--all of which reveals itself in this book."
Jim Boyle's books, Ni'il: The Awakening and Ni'il: The War Within, are award-winning books. (Edited by Harvard Girl, 2008 and 2010) You can find them for sale at www.jamesboylewrites.com.
"If you can read only one book this year, it should be Capital Reflections, the new thriller by Dr. Jonathan Javitt." - Diana Furchtgott-Roth, The New York Post. "Javitt has written a grab-you-by-the-throat thriller that could easily be tomorrow's lead news story." - Janet Rehnquist, former Inspector General, US Dept of Health and Human Services. (Edited by Heidi Connolly, Harvard Girl, 2007) For sale on Amazon.com.
"Heidi's professionalism and expertise steered my project from a dream to paper
and print reality." By Charlotte Heatherly, for Saga of a French Dish, memoirs of Josette, 2010; to purchase copies of this book email Charlotte at charloth_vir@yahoo.com. Harvard Girl Services include editing and interior book design.)
"I highly recommend Heidi as an editor. She showed great enthusiasm in taking on The League of Freaks and the Secret Key and went above and beyond my expectations. She is professional and reliable. I look forward to working with Heidi on the sequel!" - Alberto Hazan, M.D., 2010. Click here to view/purchase this book.
and print reality." By Charlotte Heatherly, for Saga of a French Dish, memoirs of Josette, 2010; to purchase copies of this book email Charlotte at charloth_vir@yahoo.com. Harvard Girl Services include editing and interior book design.)
"I highly recommend Heidi as an editor. She showed great enthusiasm in taking on The League of Freaks and the Secret Key and went above and beyond my expectations. She is professional and reliable. I look forward to working with Heidi on the sequel!" - Alberto Hazan, M.D., 2010. Click here to view/purchase this book.
Pelicans, Coconuts & Butterflies: Conquering Cancer with a Life of Soul, by Ani Kaspar. Harvard Girl services provided: Level 2 copyediting, 2009. You can link to Ani's site to purchase her book here.
"Heidi Connolly captured the essence of an emotional, fictionalized memoir, exposing the true message of my life's story. Her talent and professional skill exceeded my expectations. Though her distance necessitated electronic communications, my voice, message, and soul appear in these pages as never before. The words indeed work harder than anything I could have imagined, and I am convinced that I have found an editor and publishing assistant for life!"
(Kris Courtney, author of Norma Jean's Sun (below), Ohio, 2010)
Click here to go to Kris' website and view/purchase his book.
Messages From The Light, Inspirational Guidance for Light Workers, Healers, and Spiritual Seekers, by Claudia Helt, 2008. Harvard Girl services provided: Editing, Book Design, Cover Design, Self-Publishing/consulting.
The Journey Within...A Personal Journal by Claudia Helt
(150-page journal with inspirational messages throughout)
"Working with Heidi has been an absolute delight. She is wonderfully patient and gentle in her approach, resulting in a joyful experience rather than an intimidating one.
I recommend her highly and have already
contracted a second project with her. She is the best!!"
(Claudia Helt, Author, www.centerforpeacefultransitions.com)
You can purchase Claudia's book on-line at www.centerforpeacefultransitions.com
Time of Triumph. Collection of stories and poems (English/Espanol) by Ronald P. Chavez, the renowned "storyteller of old Route 66." (Harvard Girl editing and book shepherding, 2008) Available for sale on Amazon.com.
"I discovered Heidi through an article in the Taos News. When I asked if she could edit and format my book for publication, she said, "That's exactly what I do," and my heart jumped a beat. In less than a month the cover and text were ready for print with Amazon's Booksurge. Heidi is not only prompt but highly professional. No writer could ask for a better editor or guide through the self-publishing maze."
- Ron P. Chavez, NM, 2008
Jofi: Star Seeker.
Adventure fantasy for adolescents by Ellen Tisdel McKinsey. (Editing, interior book design and cover design, book shepherding by Harvard Girl, 2009) Available for purchase at www.goodchoicebooks.com.
"How do I describe Heidi? Efficient, smart, quick, faithful, patient, and a wizard with words. All I can say, Heidi, is that you've been a gem and without you this book would not have come to birth. I appreciate the way you give of yourself and encouraged me. You're a gem."
- Ellen Tisdel McKinsey, author, CA, 2009
Health Beyond Medicine: A Chiropractic Miracle. By Dr. Scott Paton, Florida, 2010. (Services by Harvard Girl: substantive writing, developmental editing) Available for purchase at www.healthbeyondmedicine.com.
Running Alone in Photographs. By Robert Mirabal, Taos, NM, 2009. (Cover design by Harvard Girl) Available for purchase at www.mirabal.com.
E-Dating and Beyond is a new book by Elena and Anton Spektorov.
Editing, Interior and Cover Design by Harvard Girl. May, 2009. You can purchase this book at www.intimacypublishing.com.
Burton W. Oliver: A Personal History is a living memoir told by Oliver's wife, Cindy, and set in an 8.5 x 11 book for the world to appreciate. (Dust jacket design by Harvard Girl, 2010.)
